The biggest week for outdoors shows, along with multiple ice-fishing events, leads this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors.

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SHOW SEASON: The buzz is from the big new fishing show, the Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo opens at the Schaumburg Convention Center. It was something to walk through there on Thursday (above). I will try to pull together some show notes on walking the big shows on Wednesday and Thursday.

The traditional show, the Chicago Outdoor Sports Show is at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Opening today and co-located with it is the new Chicagoland Gun Show. I will check that out on Sunday when I am in the Heartland Outdoors booth.

Strictly Sail Chicago is at Navy Pier. Because of the pack of other shows this week, I will not be hitting it.

The Illinois Fish & Feather Expo opens today at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. I have yet to visit this because it generally is the same weekend as the big shows.

EAGLES AT STARVED ROCK: With area waters locking up, timing should be good to watch the bald eagles at Starved Rock this weekend.

Here's the word from the IDNR:

Visitors are invited to the annual Bald Eagle Watch Weekend on Jan. 26-27 at Starved Rock State Park in Utica and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center (Lock and Dam), hosted by the Illinois Audubon Society, IDNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. More details are available online at http://www.illinoisaudubon.org/PROGRAMSEVENTS/BaldEagleWatchWeekend.html

ICE FISHING: It is here and well underway. The problem areas remain any current areas or goose holes, which recently froze over.

Greg Dickson at Triangle said he expects 9-12 inches in spots on the Chain O'Lakes by this weekend. I saw Denny Sands from Lakeside at the Schaumburg show and he said the ice fishing has been decent up front and back in the no-motor zone, but the middle is very tricky because geese had been keeping it open.

CHICAGO PERCH FISHING: With ice building in the Chicago harbors, the most consistent results have come from 92nd and 95th in the river on Chicago's Southeast Side, but it takes much sorting most days for keepers. . . . I have not heard of anything yet from ice fishermen in the harbors.

CHICAGO PIER PASSES: Probably a good time to remember that the $6 pier passes for Chicago harbors, except 31st, are available now at Henry's Sports and Bait, 3130 S. Canal.

GOOSE HUNTING: Goose season continues in the central zone through Jan. 31. Traditionally, this is the hot time at Braidwood Lake and the clubs around it. Not this year. It has been slow. Maybe the feeze-up will help in the final days, but I have not heard from site staff yet.

HAWG HUNTERS BREAKFAST: The Quad County Hawg Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc. holds its annual Dick Cole Memorial Breakfast on Sunday at the Plano American Legion.

All you can eat menu:
Eggs, Sausage, Pancakes, French Toast, Potatoes, Biscuits and Gravy, Milk, Orange Juice, and Coffee
Adults: $7.00
Seniors & Children 6-12 $5.00
5 and under FREE

Proceeds go to improving IL Muskie fisheries!

FOX HUNTING: Fox hunting ends in Illinois on Thursday.

INDIANA STREAMS: There's a few steelhead in the streams, but low and slick banks haven't helped. The lake-effect snow could help kick up the flow. Click here for the Indiana DNR's map of Trail Creek access.

POWERTON FISHING: If you're itching for some cooling lake fishing, shore fishing is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Powerton, just outside of Pekin. And boat fishing is coming soon on Feb. 15.

YOUTH TURKEY PERMITS: Youth (younger than 16 years old before turkey season) may apply now for outdoors access for youth turkey hunting in one of 23 counties. Click here.

PERSONAL PICKS: Today I am taking a breath, though I might try to sneak in some ice fishing. I want to try the Bait Flare technique I saw at the Rosemont show. And I need to get some paperwork done for a bunch of recordings for my Outside radio show on WKCC-FM (91.1). . . . Otherwise, my weekend is primarily shows. Saturday I will hit Hammond. On Sunday, I am working the Heartland Outdoors booth at Rosemont. And I sure hope that sloppy mix they are calling for late Sunday will hold off until I am home, safe and sound.